Separator mechanism for ring-spinning frames



7 Shets-I-Sheeit 1.

(No Madel.)

N l c; WHITAK'BR. y SBPARATOR'MEGHANISM FUR RING SPINNING FRAMES.'

i W1 TNESSES.

R 0 T N E V N.

7 Sheets-Shasta .Patented Sept. v2b, 1893.

C. WHITAKBR.

(No Model.)

SBPARAIUR MBGIIANISM FOB. RING SPINNING FRAMES. No. 506,500.`

INVENTOR.

(No Mom.) .7 sheetssheet 3.

C. W'HITAK'ER. l SEPART-OR MBGHANI'SM POR' RING SPINNING IRAMES.

y No. 5041550401 Patentedsept- 2611893-- WITNESS'ES. INvENToR.

7. R B K A ml. ,I nn W C.

SEI-ARMOR MBGIIANISM .1 -0R RING .SPINNING FRAMES. No. 505,500.

Patented-'Sept 26, `1893.

*Y IN'VENToR.

VVITVAIZSSE-sg Numdam .l '-7 sheetsneet 5.

' C'- WHITKER# SF.PARfJJIol MEGBANISM POR RING 'SPINNING FRAMES.

lNvENT-OR.

(No Model.)

- 7 SIVwetjs-Sheetq 7;

0. WRI"17010401.0. `v SEPARATOR MEGHANISM FOR BING'SPIN'NING FRAMES.

Patented spt. 26,1893-,

INVENTOR.

Unirse Sterns -FafrnN'r Ormea.

CHANNING VHITAKER, OF TYNGSBOROUGH, ASSIGNOR TO THELOVELL MACHINE SHOP, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS.

SEPARATOR MECHANISIVI FOR RING-SPINNING FRAMES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 505,500, dated September 26, 1893.

Application tiled April 24, 1 8 93.

To a/ZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHANNING WHITAKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tyngsborough, in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have inven ted certain new and useful Improvements in Separator Mechanisms for Ring-Spinning Frames, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The best, according to my opinion, among the known forms of separator-mechanisms for ring-spinning frames, are those of the class in which the horizontal shafts, rods, or rails carrying the separators are supported at the upper ends of vertical rods, commonly known as separator-rods, and have vertical movements transmitted to them from the cross-shaft arms which actuate the lifting-rods for the ringrails in such ring-spinning frames, the separator-rails and rin g-rails being thereby caused to move in unison, but the vertical traverse of the separator-rails being of less extentl than thatof the ring-rails. y

My present invention is designed as an improvement upon separatormechanisms of this class, and has for its main object to provide a separator-mechanism which shall be durable and respond to all the requirements of practical use, shall be of simple character and construction,shall consume the least possible amount of power in its working, and shall exert theleast possible stress upon those parts in the ring-frame from which the necessary motion is derived.

Other objects of my invention will be made apparent in the course of the following description.

The invention relates mainly to the devices by which the separator-rails are supported and through which they are actuated, t0 the directive means whereby the paths of the separator-rails and the separators mounted thereon are determined, to the means by which the separator-rails are mounted on their supports, and to the bearings for the cross-shafts, and the means for supporting such bearings.

The in vention consists in certain novel, useful, and improved combinations of parts, and features of construction and arrangement, all as will be clearly indicated hereinafter, and

Serial No. 471,697. (No model.)

it first will be described fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, and then will be particularly pointedont and clearly defined in the claims which are appended at the close of this specification, and which form a part hereof.

In the drawings, Figure l, Sheet l, is a view in front elevation ot' part of a ring-spinning frame having the features of my present invention applied thereto. Fig. 2, Sheet 2, is a view in vertical section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3, Sheet 3, is a view in vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Figs. 4and 5, Sheet 3, are views showing in plan and in vertical section, respectively, one of the crossshaft arms and the lower end of a lifting-rod, with its shoe. Figs. 6 to 10, Sheet 3, are views, in detail, of guides or directive devices for determining the path of movement of the separater-rails and separators, as hereinafter will be described. Figs. 11 and 12, Sheet 3, are views of an adjusting device which is described hereinafter. Figs. 13 to 18h, Sheet 4l, are views, in detail, showing the means for mounting the separator-rails upon their supports. Figs. 19 to 22, Sheet 5, are views, in detail, of one of the bearings for a cross-shaft, and the means of supporting such bearing. Figs. 23 to 34, Sheet 6, are views, in detail, showing certain modifications which are referred to hereinafter. Figs. 35 and 36, Sheet l7, are views showing a further modification `which is described hereinafter. Fig. 37 is a detail View of still another modification which is described hereinafter.

In Figs. 1,2, and 3, 1, 1, are the roller-beams of a ring-spinning frame, 2, 2, the threadboards hinged thereto, as usual, 3, 3, the tinger-boards lhinged as usual to the threadboards, 4, Il, the yarnguides secured to the linger-boards, 5, 5, the yarns passing from the yarn-guides 4, 4, to the bobbins 6, 6, through the travelers 7,7, on the rings 8, 8, supported by the ring-rails 9, 9. 10, 10, are the spindles on which the bobbins are mounted, 11,11, are the spindle-rails, 12, 12, the lower or `guiderails, 13, 13, the lifting-rods for thering-rails, and 14, 14, the shoes at the lower ends ot the said rods. 15, see Figs. 4: and 5, is a stud upon which, or upon 'theroller 151 carried thereby, the under surface of each of the saidshoes IOC rests, and 152 is the flat headed screw which holds the roller in place upon the stud, 15, when the said roller is'employed, the threaded part of the said screw being caused to enter a threaded hole in the end of the stud. 16 is the cross-shaft arm by which the stud, 15, or stud l5 and roller 151, are carried, and 17 is the transverse slot in the free end of the said arm in which the stud is mounted adjustably. 171 is a collar on the stud which takes bearing against one side of the cross-shaft arm, 16, to which the same is applied. 172 is a nut on the threaded end of the stud on the side of the arm opposite to that on which the collar, 171, is located, and 173 is a Washer which is placed between the said nut and the adjacent side of the arm. 18 is across-shaft provided with one-of the said arms, 16, at each end thereof, as usual, and 19, 19, are the hangers or brackets containing the bearings for the crossshaft, the cross-shaft being caused to rock by well-known means for the purpose of moving the ring-rails up and down. In Fig. 2, all but the extreme end-portions of the cross-shaft which is crossed by the line of section is broken away. At 2O are shown the separators. All of the foregoing parts may be of any usual or preferred construction.

At 21, 21, are shown the separator-rails on which the separa-tors are mounted. For the sake of lightness, I preferably make the separator-rails, 21, 2l, tubular or hollow.

Heretofore, in constructions of separatormechanisms of the class on which the present invention is an improvement, the horizontal separator-rail has been attached to or mounted in bearings upon the tops ot' vertical rods, which commonly have been known as separator-rods, and it has been the practice to mount the separator-rods, for the purpose of defining their path of movement, and that of the separator-rail and separators, in an upright position in fixed guides, by which latter they are compelled to move strictly in a straight line in avertical direction, and are prevented from deviating or Vibrating laterally, as otherwise they might be caused to do by the action of the swinging cross-shaft arms from which they are operated, inasmuch as the said arms swing through ares of movement having horizontal components. Frequently, in consequence of the fact that the arcs of movement of the said cross-shaft arms have each a horizontal component as just mentioned, it has been deemed necessary or expedient, particularly in some constructions wherein the actuating connections between the cross-shaft arms and the separater-rods are offset laterally with respect to the axes of the separator-rods, to employ special provisions for prevent-ing the separater-rods from being caused to twist or turn upon their vertical axes within the guides as theA cross-shaft arms rise and fall through their said arcs of movement. The said horizontal component, moreover, necessitates making the engagement or connection of the cross-shaft arms with the guided upright separator-rods in some special manner or by some special means which will not interfere with the horizontal movement of the actuating parts of the cross-shaft arms relatively to the separator-rods.

In my application for patent tiled April 24, 1893, Serial No. 471,698, I have presented and claimed broadly a novel and improved type of separator-mechanisms for ring-spinning frames which I originated with the aim in view of dispensing with the use of separator-rods or slide-rods that are held by fixed guides in a definite vertical position, and prevented thereby from lateral movement or vibration. In the separator-mechanism shown and described in the said application there are embodied vibratile rods on the order of simple connecting-rods or pitmen, each of which rods at its upper end is formed or provided with a bearing that suitably receives one journal or pivot of the corresponding separator-rail, while at its lower end each rod is connected or engaged pivotally with the corresponding cross-shaft arm, the rod being free to swing or vibrate laterally in a vertical plane that is parallel with the vertical plane in which the cross-shaft arm moves, as the said cross-shaft arm swings up and down through its arc of movement in actuating the ring-rail. vibratile supporting and connecting rods aforesaid, I use, as set forth in the said ap-4 plication, directive devices or guides of simple construction for determining the proper path of movement of the separator-rail and separators as they rise and fall in unison with the ring-rail, the said directive devices or guides being of such character and so applied as not to interfere with the vibratilev supporting and connecting-rods in their characteristic movements. The improvements embodied in the said application enable me to simplify greatly the construction of the separator-mechanism; to dispense with the employment ofthe kinds of guides heretofore in use, and-with the fitting and adjusting of such guides; to use inexpensive forms of guides or directive devices; to make more direct and simple connections with the crossshaft arms than heretofore; and to dispense with the provisions which heretofore have been employed to prevent the rods, by which the separator-rails are supported, from twisting or turning on their vertical axes. Various forms and arrangements of devices embodying the generic features of my former invention are presented inthe said application.

The first part ot' my present invention falls underthe type orgen us of thesaid application, and comprises certain specific embodiments of the essential and characteristic features of the invention presented in said application as just set forth. The vibratile supporting and connecting-rods of my application aforesaid are shown at 22, 22, in various figures of In combination with the IOO IOS

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ISO

the drawings. The bearings which are provided at the upper ends of these rods for the reception of the journals or pivots of the separator-rails, 21, 21, are shown at 221, 221. The separator-rails are provided with collars thereon, which engage with the said bearings and act to prevent movement of the bearings and rails relatively to each other lengthwise whereby the upper ends of the said vibratilel connecting-rod, 22,22, on opposite sides of the ring-f rame are connected in such manner that the two separator-rails, 21, 21, are prevented from separating, or, are maintained always at a uniform distance apart, and whereby the forces which tend to move the separator-rails outwardly away from each other are balanced within the cross-bar, rod, or wire, and thereby are practically neutralized. An important result secured by the use of the said cross-bar, rod, or wire, is the fact that the guides or directive devices for determining the paths of movement of the separator-rails and separators are relieved from the outwardly exerted pressure due to the weight of the separatorrails and the moving parts connected therewith, and thereby the friction, as Well as the wear of the said guides or directive devices, are diminished.

In the said application I have shown and described, but without claiming the same specifically, a modification embodying a second and similar cross-bar, rod, or wire, which is connected with the vibratile supporting and connecting-rods, 22, 22, near the lower ends thereof, and whereby the two opposite vibratile supportingand connecting-rods are united and tied together at the bottom thereofl and so that the said supporting and connectingrods form, with the cross-bars, rods, or wires, alight rectangular frame which rises and falls in unison with the movement of the crossshaft arms. This embodiment of my generic invention constitutes a main feature of the more specific invention which is covered by the present case.

At 39, see, more particularly, Figs. 2 and 3, is shown the upper cross-bar, rod, or wire, which is connected with the upper ends of the corresponding rods, 22, 22, on opposite sides of the ring-frame, and whereby the said upper ends are united as just stated, and at 42 is shown the lower cross-bar, rod, or wire, which is connected with the lower ends of the same rods, and whereby the said lower ends are united, as stated. The cross-bars, rods, or wires, 39 and 42, unite the opposite rods, 22, 22,into a light, rectangular, movable frame of considerable stiffness and stability. There usually will be one such frame for each crossshaft in the ring-frame, and, inasmuch as the cross-shafts are caused to rock in unison, the

entire number of frames employed will rise and fall simultaneously.

To connect the cross-bars, rods, or wires, 39 and 42,[0 the rods, 22, 22, and also secure the proper distance apart of the rods, 22, 22, at their upper and lower ends, and the angles which the said rods make with the cross-bars, rods, or wires, 39 and 42, I provide the sockets, 43, 43,which are shown in detail in Figs. 11 and 12, although, in some cases, simpler and ordinary means of connection may be employed instead. In Fig. 11 I have shown one of the sockets, 43, in vertical section,but with part of the corresponding rod, 22, and cross-bar, rod, or wire, 39, in elevation, and in Fig. 12 I have shown in plan the parts which are represented in Fig. ll. Each socket, 43, has a vertical portion, 431, having a laterally widened hole, 4312, vertically therethrough, through which hole the correspondin g rod, 22, passes. The socket, also, has a laterally projecting nipple, 432, in which is secured the end of the cross-bar, rod, or wire, 39 or 42. The ends of the cross-bars, rods, or wires, 39 and 42, are shown held in the nipples of the sockets, 43, 43, by means of clamping-screws, 437, 437, which pass through threaded holes in the sides of the nipples and bear by their ends upon the surfaces of the said cross-bars, rods, or wires. Adjusting-screws, 433, 433, 433, pass through the wall of the portion, 431, and take bearing against the surface of the rod, 22, thereby securing the socket, 43, and rod, 22, together. Two of the adjustingscrews, 433, 433, are situated at the opposite ends of the socket, and on one side of the latter, while the third adjusting-screw, 433, is situated at an intermediate point, and on the opposite side of the socket. By means of these oppositely acting adjusting-screws a delicate adjustment of the rods, 22, 22, laterally, and of the angles which they make with the cross-bars, rods, or wires, 39 and 42, may be secured.

When the separator-rails are supported by frames such as have just been described, various forms and arrangements of directive means whereby to hold the separator-rails in place as they rise and fall, and thereby determine the paths of movement thereof, may be employed. A number of forms and arrangements of such means are shown and described in my application hereinbefore mentioned. In particular, reference may be had to Figs. l to 4, and 3 to 42, of the drawings of the said application, and to the accompanying description. The form and arrangement. which I prefer to employ in the present connection are represented in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, in place in a ring-frame, and in separate detail in Figs. 8, 9, 9a, and 9", a modification thereof being represented in Fig. 10. At 32, 32, are brackets, which are `attached-to the roller-beam, 1,

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on each side of the ring-frame, at intermediate points in the length of the said rollerbeam and of the corresponding separatorrail- Each of the said brackets is held tothe rollerbeam by bolts, 321, 321, passing through lateral ears, 322, 322, on the bracket, and also through the vertical iiange of the roller-beam, the said bolts receiving nuts, 324, on the threaded ends thereof at the rear of the said Vertical flange. Each of the said brackets has a vertical slot, 323, in which the separator-rail is placed, and wherein it is free to move vertically throughout the necessary extent of traverse. In Figs. 1, 2, 3, 3, and 9, the slot, 323, is open at the top to permit the separator-rail, 2l, to be dropped into the slot from above. ln the modification which is represented in Fig. 10 the slot is open at the lower end of the bracket so as to necessitate the introduction of the separator-rail into the said slot from below. The, front and rear walls of the slot in the bracket prevent the separator-rail from moving toward the front or rear in the ring-frame. Along the front of the roller-beam a sufficient number of the brackets will be employed to guard against horizontal springing or vibration of the separator-rail, and the said brackets will be located at such points as will best serve for guiding and steadying the separator-rail, preferably near the ends and middle of the length of the separator-rail. The separator-rail is held in precise position longitudinally thereof by means of collars, 325, 325, that are mount, ed thereon and fixed in place by clamping- 'screws, 326, 326, which pass through the collars and take bearing by their ends against the surface of the separator-rail. Such collars may be applied to the separator-rail on opposite sides of a single bracket, or on opposite sides of each of two or more of the said brackets, or one collar may be at one side of one bracket and another collar maybe at the opposite side of another bracket, as will be obvious. ln Fig. 1, and also in Fig. 8,1 have shown two collars on opposite sides of one and the same bracket. The other arrangements referred to will be obvious.

As shown in Fig. 1, one of the collars may be the hub or collar of a separator. The collars may rest in immediate Contact with the sides of the brackets, and in consequence of such contact they will operate to prevent movement of the separator-rail in the direction of its length. lf desired, in order to afford better sliding surfaces than will be furnished by the collars themselves, l shall use the washers, 327, 327, shown in Figs. 9 and 9, Fig. 9ct being a View similar to Fig. 9 in its showing, and having in addition the said washers, and Fig. 9b being a viewin horizontal section on the horizontal line, Sib-9b, of Fig. 9a. These washers are mounted on the separator-rail between the collars and the sides of the brackets.

Another suitable form and arrangement of directive means will be found in Figs. 6 and 7, in which figures each of the ends of the separator-rail, 21, enters between the ribs, 31, 3l, on a plate, 311, which is secured to a suitable portion, 441, of the machine framing, by bolts, 313, 313, that pass through lugs, 314, 314, on the said plate, and also through the portion, 441, of the machine framing, and receive nuts, 315, 315, on their threaded ends outside of the said portion, 441, of the machine framing. The ribs, 31, 31, correspond with the front and rear portions of the slotted brackets which have just been described, and operate to keep the separator-rail, 21, from falling backward or forward in the ringframe. The contact of the extreme ends of theseparator-rail with the vertical faces of the plates, between the ribs, prevents the separator-rail from shifting end wise.

My improved means of mounting the separator-rails on their supports is shown in detail in Figs. 13 to 13b. It is designed, mainly, as an improvement upon like means forming the subject matter of claims in my patents for improvements in separator-mechanisms for ring-spinning frames, granted May 30, 1893, No. 498,338 and No. 498,342, and in the patent granted to Charles F. Randall, May 30, 1893, No. 493,305.

Fig. 13 is a view mainly in side elevation, but with the separator-rail in vertical section, showing the upper end of a rod, 22, the socket which is applied thereto, and my present improvement in the means of mounting the separator-rail. Fig. 14 is a view in plan of the parts which are shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a view in plan of the socket shown in Figs. 13 and 14. Fig. 16 is aview in vertical section on line 16-16 of Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is a View in plan of the portion of a separator which is shown in Figs. 13 and 14. Fig. 18 is a view of the said separator in vertical section on line 18--13 of Fig. 17. Fig. -18a is a view of the said separator in horizontal section on line 18a-13m of Fig. 18. Fig. 1Sb is a view corresponding with Fig. 13, butshowing how the separator-rail may be held positively in its supporting socket, if desired.

At 44 :is shown a socket that is applied to the upper end of the rod, 22, the said socketV being formed orprovided with open bearings, 221, 221, in which is received the journal of the separator-rail, 21, and into which the said journal may be dropped readily in assembling the parts, or from which the said journal may as readily be removed when it is desired to take the separator-railaway, the said journal turning in the said bearings as the separators are shifted from their lowered or operative position to their raised or idle position, and vice versa.

In the illustrated construction the front and rear walls, 47 and 43, of the bearings are vertical. The rear walls, 47, are prolonged to a sufficient extent from the seats in the bearings in which the journal of the separator-rail rests to enable the rear surfaces, 49, 49, of said walls, to be utilized for receiving IOO IIO

the impact of stops, 50, 50, moving with the separator-rail. The said open bearings, and the surfaces or rests, 49, 49, are without obstruction to interfere with either the rail or the stops as the rail is being removed, and the stops come in contact with the surfaces, 49, 49, when the separators have reached their operative position between the spindles, whereby the movement of the separators forwardly and downwardly is arrested. The stops, 50, 50, act against the surfaces, 49, 49, at points inthe rear of the seats for the journal of the separator-rail, and as clearly will be apparent from inspection of Figs. 13 and 14, the said surfaces, 49, 49, serve as rests or fulcra against the rearward sides of which the stops, 50, 50, take bearing while the unbalanced weight of the parts in front of the points of contact operates to bear or impel the journal of the rail to its seats and hold it there, the parts gravitating naturallyinto their proper position and remaining there. In the patents aforesaid the socket is formed with but a single bearing for the journal of the separator-rail, and the latter has but a single rest which is engaged by a corresponding stop moving with the separator-rail. In the said patents there is shown one form of construction in which the stop is constituted by a laterally projecting and offset finger making part of the collar or hub of the separator which is next to the socket. In such construction the blade of the said separator is bent twice at right angles, so that its free andwidest part shall stand in front of the socket bearing.

In Figs. 13 to 16, I have shown the socket formed with two bearings, 221, 221, for the journal of the separator-rail, the said bearings being ou opposite sides of the socket, and being separated by a space sufficient to receive between them the hub or collar, 201, of the separator, 20, which hub or collar is clamped to the separator-rail by a screw, 2011, passing therethrough and taking bearing by its end against the surface of the separatorrail. The stops, 50, 50, are clearly shown in Figs. 13, 14, 17, and 18, as formed by fingers projecting laterally in opposite directions from the rear side of the said collar or hub, 201, and being arranged to engage as aforesaid wit-h the rear surfaces, 49, 49, of the rear walls, 47, 47, of the bearings. Herein, as in my Patent No. 498,338, I form the rear surfaces, 49, 49, with narrow projecting parts, 91, 91, in the shape of vertical ribs which are preferably made of semi-cylindrical or angular outline where the stops, 50, 50, touch them. These narrow projecting parts co-operate with the stops, 50, 50, to cause or permit the socket-bearings to become restored to parallelism with the separator-rail in case the socket should, from any accidental cause, become slightly turned on its vertical axis, the mode of operation being substantially as setforth in my said Patent No. 498,338. My present construction renders it unnecessary to place vcollars on opposite sides of the bearing for aS., to permit the separator-rail and separators totbe removed directly from the support at any time, before the separators have been turned out of their operative position, and to be taken away from the machine, without it being necessary to provide for the disengagement of the rail from its supports by rst turning the separators out of their operative position into an inoperative position.

In Fig. 18b I have represented the manner in which the journal or pivot of the separatorrail may be held positively to its seat or seats in a socket in order to meet the views of some users of ring-frames containing separatormechanism, or to provide for exceptional conditions experienced in practice. This View indicates the readiness with which the construction of a socket, embodying an open bearing and unobstructed rest, may be moditied so as to provide means for holding positively the separator-rail journal or pivot t0 its seat orseats inthe bearing or bearings provided therefor in the socket. The said Fig. 18b shows a screw, 471, passing through a hole in the front wall, 48, of a bearing, and having its threaded end fitted into a threaded hole in the rear wall, 47. Obviously, some other form of cross-piece may be substituted for the screw. this screw or cross-piece itis necessary only that the front wall, 48, should rise to aslightly greater height than in Fig. I3, andthat the holes for the reception of the screw or other cross-piece should be made in the front and rear walls.

Then an ordinary ring-spiuningframe having the separator-mechanism operated from the cross-shaft arm is altered so as to adapt it to the use of bobbins of a length different from those which have been used thereon, a compensating adjustment in the separatormechanism is required, in consequence of the change that is made inthe height of the crossshaft. This change is incident to the adjustment, vertically, of the spindle-rail which is effected for the purpose of bringing the tips of the bobbins at the requisite distance from the thread-guides, it being customary to adjust each spindle-rail, 1l, of a ring-spinning frame, at the time of each change in the length of the bobbins, to such a heightin the frame that when the bobbins, 6, 6, are applied to the spindles, 10,10, the tips of the bobbins shall be at the same fixed distance below the thread-guides, 4, 4, regardless of the length of the bobbins. It is usual to have the spindle-rail, 11, and guide-rail, 12, connected tC- To provide for the reception of Y ITO IZO

gether by intermediate vertical pieces, 'the' two rails, 11 and 12, with the intermediate connecting pieces making up what ordinarily is known as the ladder, it being usual, also, to hang the cross-shaft, 18, to the lower side of the guide-rail, 12, by means of brackets or hangers resembling those shown at 19-19, in the drawings, the whole of the ladder being moved upward when shorter bcbbins are substituted for longer ones, or downward when longer bobbins arevsubstituted for shorter ones, and the ladder carrying the cross-shaft with it in each case.

It is customary to have the mechanism which actuates the cross-shaft and its arm to raise and lower the ring-rail so arranged that the upper limit of the movement ofthe stud, 15, or of the stud and its roller, 151, shall be at the same iixed point, and hence that the upper limit 0f the traverse ot' the ring-rail shall be at the same fixed distance below the thread-guides for all lengths of bobbins, the change in the traverse required to suita new length of bobbins being secured by adjustment of the copping-mechanism in such manuer as to raise or lower the lower limit of the traverse of the ring-rail to the extent that may be necessary.

inasmuch as it has been found in practice that the nearer the thread-guides are placed to the tops lof the bobbins, the better are the results secured, and whereas the parts ot' a ring-frame are usually arranged and operated so that the separator-blades lie in the space between the top of the ring-rail and the bottom of the thread-board, ywhen they and the ring-rail have reached, simultaneously, the upper limits of their traverses, it is customary to place the thread-guides and thread-board as near to the tops of the bobbins, and as near to the upper limit of the traverse of the ringrail, as the width of the separator-blade will permit. When the separators and the ringrail are at the upper limits of their traverses, and in correct adjustment, the separatorblades are in close proximity to the threadboard above them and to the ring-rail below them. Because of this close proximity, a maladjustment of the separator mechanism, which shall alter the upper limit of the traverse of the separator-blades, will lead to the striking of the thread-board by the separator-blades, if the adjustment of the upper limit of their traverse is too high, or, to the striking of the separator-blades by the ringrail, if the adjustment of the upper limit of the traverse of the blades is too low. It, therefore, will be seen that, when the frame is re-adjusted to correspond with a change in the length of the bobbins, the upper limit of the traverse of the separator-rail and separators will not remain as before, for, although the stud, 15, and roller, 151, may rise to exactly the same height as before, all points on the cross-shaft arm which are intermediate the said stud and the cross-shaft will have new positions at the end of the rise of the cross-shaft arm, in consequence of the change that is made in the height of the cross-shaft. Accordingly, the separator-mechanism will be raised or lowered, but to a less extent than the cross-shaft, in proportion as the position 0f the cross-shaft is raised or lowered, and, in order to prevent the interference of the separator-blades with the thread-board, or with the ring-rail, when both the separator-blades and the ring-rail are at the upper limits of their traverses, it will become necessary to make a compensating adjustment of the separator-mechanism.

In accordance with one part of my invention I make provision for proper compensating adjust-ment, but not in the separatormechanism itself, as follows, reference being had to Figs. 19 to 22, Sheet 5. Fig. 19 shows in elevation one of the bearings for the crossshaft, and the hanger or bracket forming the support therefor. Fig. 2O is a View in vertical section on line 20-20 of Fig. 19. Fig. 20 is a View in vertical section on line 20-20 of Fig. 19, showing a modification. Figs. 21 and 22 are views in rear and side elevation showing the said bearing.

At 4161, is shown one of the bearings for the journals of a cross-shaft, and, at 19, the hanger or bracket by which the said bearing is supported, the said hanger or bracket being fixed to the under side ot` guide-rail 12, see Fig. 1, by the bolts, 191, 191, which latter receive upon their threaded ends the nuts, 192, 192. The holes, 193, 193, in the flange, 194C, of the hanger or bracket through which the bolts, 191,191, pass, are enough larger than the bolts to permit of slight horizontal adjustment of the hanger or bracket upon the guide-rail, as may be required. The bearing, 161, has a plain, preferably square, bodyportion, 1611, which fits in a vertical slot, 195, formedl in the hanger or bracket. At one end, the bearing, 161, has a flange, 1612, which contacts with one side ot' the hanger or bracket, and prevents the bearing from passing entirely through the slot, 195, while at its other end the bearing has a threaded portion, 1613. On this threaded portion is applied a nut, 16111, which serves for clamping the bearing in place, a washer, 1615, being placed between the Said nut and the adjacent side of the hanger or bracket, 19. The bearing, 161, is adjustable vertically in slot, 195, and thus may be varied in position as may be required for the purpose ot' effecting the compensating adjustment which is referred to above. To definitely fix and determine the adjustment, I provide an adjusting-screw, 196, on the upper end of which the bearing, 161, rests, the said screw passing upward through the material of the hanger or bracket at the lower end of the slot and projecting into the slot. lf desired, a clamping-screw, 197, may be used, as in Figs. 19 and 20, it passing downwardly through the material of the hanger or bracket at the upper end of the slot and being turned in until its lower end bears against TOO IIO

rail and rings.

the upper side of the bearing. In Fig'. 2OL the clamping-screw, 1'97, is omitted.

In Figs. 1, and 2, each rod, 22, is formed at its lower end with an eye, 23, which is entered by a stud or pin, 24, that projects from the side of the cross-shaft arm, 16, the said eye being kept on the said stud or pin by means of a split pin, 25, which is passed through the end of the stud or pin, 24, outside of the eye, 23. rllhe stud or pin, 24, is located at a point intermediate the axis on which the cross-shaft, 1S, turns and the point at which motion is transmitted to the liftingrod, 13. Through the described pivotal connection of the vibratile'rod, 22, with the crossshaft arm, I6', motion is communicated positively from the said arm to the rod, and to the separator-rail and separators sustained thereby.' In consequence of connecting the rod, 22, with the cross-shaft arm, 16, at a point between the axis on which the arm rocks and the point on the arm at which motion is communicated to the lifting-rod, 13, the movement communicated to therod, 22, separatorrail and separators, while occasioned simultaneously with that communicated to thelifting-rod, ring-rail, and rings, is less in extent than the latter movement, and thus the extent' of the traverse of the separator-rail and separators is made less than that of the ring- Various modifications may be made in the construction of the rect-an gular frame herein presented, and in the mode of operating said frame from the crossshaft arms, 16, `16.

In Figs. 23, 24, 25, and 26, I have indicated the manner in which the rods, 22, 22, and lower cross-bar, rod, or wire, 42, may be formed integrally with one another.

Figs. 23 and 24 indicate the construction at the end of the rectangular frame which is next adjacent to one cross-shaft arm, 16, and show the mode of connecting the frame at that end with such arm, while Figs. 25 and 26 indicate the construction at the end of such frame which is next adjacent to the opposite cross-shaft arm, and show the mode of connecting the frame yat that end with the latter arm.

In Figs. 23 and 24, a journal or pin, 421, projects from the frame and enters the hole, 422, formed in the arm, 16.

In Figs. 25 and 26, a screw, 423, with a long cylindrical head passes through a hole, 424, in the corresponding arm, 16, and then through a hole, 425, in a filling-in block, 426, and the threaded end, 427, thereof enters a threaded hole, 42S, in the corresponding end of the rectangular frame, it being locked by a small screw, 429,which fits a threaded hole formed transversely in the frame, and takes bearing at its inner end against the thread ot screw, 423. This construction, as shown in Figs. 25 and 26, is adopted for convenience in placing the parts in their proper relative positions.

In Figs. 27 and 28, a construction, in which Athe side-rods, 22, 22, and cross-bar, rod, or

wire, 42, are integrahis adopted, but the journal or pin, 430, at the end of the frame is received in a notch or open bearing, 439, on theA upper side ot the cross-shaft arm, 16. For the purpose of making the action of the crossshat't arm in transmitting motion to the frame positive in both directions in the case ot' this modification, the frame is provided at its end with a finger, 440, which projects under the cross-shaft arm. Preferably, the lower side of the cross-shaft arm beneath the open bearing, 439, is formed in the shape of a segment of a horizontal cylinder having its axis concentric with the pin, 430, when the latter rests in the open bearing, 439.

In Figs. 29 and 30, the lower end of the rod, 22, is formed with an eye, 445, and is slipped upon the end of the cross-bar or rod, 42, and held thereon, with capacity for adjustment along the cross-bar or rod, 42, by a clampingscrew, 449, which latter passes through a threaded hole in the side of said eye and takes bearingat its end against the side of the crossbar or rod, 42. The cross-bar or rod, 42, has a journal, 44S, that ts a notch or open bearing, 439, in the upper side of the cross-shaft arm. Herein, the actionis not positive in the downward movement of `the cross-shaft arm, and the weight of the parts is depended upon to carry them down when the cross-shaft arm descends.

Figs. 31 and 32 show a construction in which the side-rods and bottom cross-bar or rod of the rectangular frame are made integral, and in which the frameis provided at its end with a downwardly projecting fork, 446, which lits upon a pin, 447, projecting from one side of the cross-shaft arm. The construction represented in Fig. 33 has a stud, 24, carried by the cross-shaft arm, 16, and provided with a rounded projecting portion, 242, which enters a hole, 243, in the corresponding end of the rectangular frame. The threaded end, 244, of the said stud enters a threaded hole, 245, in the arm, 16, and the polygonal head or iiange, 246, serves for the reception of a suitable tool for turning the stud when screwing it into place on the arm. This is the construction which is represented in Figs. 1, 2, and 4. It is adapted for use at both ends of a cross-bar, 42. When I make use thereof, and of a movable rectangular supporting frame for the separatorrails, such as the frame shown in Fig. 2, or one having its parts made integral with one another, I make one of the cross-shaft arms, 16, removable from the crossshaft,18, as shown in Figs. 4 and 34, instead of having both ot the arms of the said shaft cast integral therewitln'as heretofore usual. r l

In Figs. 4 and 34, the arm, 16, is shown formed with a collar, 1611, which fits on a reduced portion near the end of the cross-shaft, and bears against a shoulder, 1612. The crossshaft is spotted or formed with a hole, 1613,

`for the reception of the end of the screw, 1614,

IOO

ITO

which holds the arm, 16, to the shaft, thus providing for preventing any possible rotation of the removable cross-shaft arm with respect to the shaft.

The features that are represented in Figs. 4 and 34 will be useful in connection with other modifications, also.

In Fig. 37, Sheet 7, I haverepresented an upper cross-bar, 39, made integral with a rod, 22: It is obvious that the opposite end of the said cross-bar, 39, may be thus integral with the opposite rod, 22, and that the entire frame, 39, 22, 42,22, may be cast or otherwise formed of a single piece.

Certain of the features of my invention vhereinbefore presented are adapted for use in other connections than those in which they are shown in the figures of the drawings which have been referred to in the foregoing description. Thus, in Figs. 35 and 36, I have shown a contemplated modification, in which a rectangular frame,substantially such as has been described, is combined with fixed guides of the character of those which have been employed in earlier forms of separator-mechanisms. Fig. 35 is a View in vertical section, and Fig. 36 is a viewin front elevation, showing the connection of such modification with parts of a ring-frame. Herein the rods, 22, 22, sllde through the upper and lower fixed guides, 223, 223, forming parts of stands, 224, 224, that are held by bolts, 226, and nuts, 227, to brackets, 228, that in turn are affixed by bolts, 229, and nuts, 2291, to the spindle-rails, 11, and guide-rails, 12. The upper cross-bar, rod, or wlre, 39, is connected with the upper ends of the rods, 22, 22, by sockets like those which are shown in Figs. 11 and 12, with their provisions for adjustment. The lower cross-bar or rod, 42, and the mode of connecting the lower ends of the rods, 22, 22, thereto, are sub stantially as illustrated in Figs. 29 and 30, but.

herein the ends of the said cross-bar or rod do not lit notches or open bearings on the upper sides of the cross-shaft arms, as in Figs. 29 and 30. Instead, they, or the rollers, 421, 421, which they carry, rest in sliding contact on the said upper sides, as shown clearly in Figs; 35 and 36.

I claim as my inventionl. The combination with the ring-rails and the separator-rails on the opposite sides of a ring-frame, and the separators carried by the separator-rails, of a frame sustaining the said separator-rails, and means for separately moving the ring-rails and the said frame vertically, substantially as described.

2. The combination with the ring-rails and the separator-rails on the opposite sides of a ring-frame, the separators carried by the separater-rails, and the corresponding cross-shaft arms upon the opposite sides of the ringframe whereby the ring-rails are actuated, of a frame sustaining the said separator-rails, and separately actuated by the said crossshaft arms, substantially as described.

3. The combination with the separator-rails on the opposite sides of a ring-frame, the separators carried thereby, and the corresponding cross-shaft arms upon the opposite sides of the ring-frame, of a frame sustaining the said separator-rails and composed of side rods provided with supports for the separator-rails and acted upon at their lower ends by the cross-shaft arms, and upper and lower crossbars, rods, or wires connecting the said siderods, substantially as described.

4. The combination with theseparator-rails on the opposite sides of a ring-frame, the separators carried thereby, and the corresponding cross-shaft arms upon the opposite sides of the ring-frame, of the frame sustainingthe said separator-rails composed of side-rods provided with supports for the separator-rails and connected pivotally at the lower ends thereof with the cross-shaft arms, and upper and lower cross-bars, rods, or wires connecting the said side-rods, substantially as described.

5. The combination with the separator-rails on the opposite sides of aring-frame, the separators carried thereby, and the corresponding cross-shaft arms upon the opposite sides of the ring-frame, of the frame sustaining the said separator-rails composed of side-rods pro- 'vided with supports for the separator-rails and acted upon at their lower ends by the cross-shaft arms, upper and lower cross-bars, rods, or wires connecting the said side-rods, and means for connecting the cross-bars, rods, or wires to the side-rods and adjusting the direction of the said cross-bars, rods, or wires with respect to that of the said side-rods, substantially as described.

6. The combination with the separator-'rails on the opposite sides of a ring-frame, the separators carried thereby, and the corresponding cross-shaft arms upon the opposite sides of the ring-frame, of the frame sustaining the said separator-rails composed of side-rods provided with supports for the separator-rails and connected pivotally at their lower ends with the cross-shaft arms, upper and lower cross-bars, rods, or wires connecting'the said side-rods, and means for connecting the crossbars, rods, or wires to the side-rods and adj usting the direction of the said cross-bars, rods, or wires with respect to that of the said side-rods, substantially as described.

7. The combination with the ring-rails and separator-rails on the opposite sides of a ringframe, and the separators carried by the separator-rails, of the frame sustaining the said separator-rails, means for separately actuating the ring-rails and the said frame, and directive means whereby to maintain the separators as they rise and fallin proper positions relative `to the spindles, substantially as described.

8. The combination with the ring-rails and the separator-rails on the opposite sides of a ring-frame, the separators carried by the separator-rails, and the corresponding cross-shaf t arms upon the opposite sides of the ring-frame IOO uwhereby the ring-rails are actuated, of a frame sustaining the said separator-rails, and separatelyiactuated by the said cross-shaft arms, and directive means whereby `to maintain the separators as they rise and fall in proper position relativeto the spindles, substantially as described.

9. The combination with the separator-rails on the opposite sides of a ring-frame, the separators carried thereby, and the Vcorresponding cross-shaft `arms upon the opposite sides of the ringframe,of aframe sustaining the said separator-rails composed of side-rods pro vided with supports for the separator-rails and acted upon at their lower. ends by the cross-shaft arms, and upperrand lower crossbars, rods, or wires connecting the said siderods, and directive means whereby to maintain the separators as they rise and fall in proper positions relative to the spindles, substantially as described.

10. The combination with the separatorrails on the opposite sides of aring-frame, the separators carried thereby, and the corresponding cross-shaft arms upon the opposite sides of the ringframe,of the frame sustaining the said separator-rails composed of side-rods provided with supports for the separator-rails and connected pivotally at the lower ends thereof with the cross-shaft arms, and upper and lower cross-bars, rods, orwires connecting said side-rods, and directive means whereby to maintain the separators as they rise and fall in proper positions relative to the spindles, substantially as described.

11. The combination withthe separator- `rails on the opposite sides of a ring-frame, the

separators carried thereby, rods sustaining the said separator-rails, and means for reciprocating the said rods vertically, of a crossbar, rod, or wire uniting the corresponding rods on opposite sides of the ring-frame, and

.means for adjusting the direction of the said rails on the opposite sides of a ring-frame, the f separators carried thereby, rods sustaining the said separator-rails, and means for reclprocating the said rods vertically, of a crossbar, rod, or wire uniting the corresponding rods on opposite sides of the ring-frame, and means for adjusting the distance apart of the said rods, and the direction of the said crossbar, rod, or Wire with respect to that of one of the said rods, substantially as described.

13. The combinationwith the separatorrails on the opposite sides of the ring-frame, and the separators carried thereby, of siderods sustaining the said separator rails, means for reciprocating the said side-rods vertically, a cross-bar, rod, or wire uniting the corresponding side-rods on opposite sides of the ring-frame, and a socket, 43, connected with one end of the cross-bar, rod, or wire, and having an opening therethrough for the reception of one of the siderods, and also having the oppositelylocated screws, 433, 433, 433, substantially as described.

14. The combination with theseparatorrail, the separators carried thereby, the vibratile supporting and connecting-rods, and the cross-shaft arms whereby the said rods are moved to actuate the separator-rail, of the guides for the separator-rail provided with vertical surfaces between which the separator-rail moves and whereby the said Separator-rail is prevented from moving transversely of the ring-frame, substantially as described.

15. The combination with the separatorrails on opposite sides of a ring-frame, the separators carried thereby, the swinging frame whereby the said rails are supported, and the corresponding cross-shaft arms on opposite sides of the ring-frame by which the said swinging-frame is actuated, of guides provided with vertical surfaces whereby the said separator-rails are prevented from moving transversely of the ring-frame, substantially as described.

16. The combination with the separatorrail, the separators carried thereby, the vibratile supporting and connecting-rods, and the cross-shaft arms whereby the said rods are moved to actuate the separator-rail, of a slotted bracket in which the separator-rail is iitted and by which it is guided, substantially as described.

17. The combination with the separatorrail, the separators carried thereby, the vibratile supporting and connecting -rods, and the cross-shaft arms whereby the said rods are moved to actuate the `separator-rail, of a slotted bracket in which the separator-rail is fitted and by which it is guided, and collars on the separator-rail on opposite sides of` said bracket, substantially as described.

18. The combination with the separatorrail, the separators carried thereby, the crossshaft, the cross-shaft arm, and means .for operating the separator-rail from the cross-shaft arm, of the gniderail, and a vertically adjustable bearingfor the cross-shaft supported on the said guide-rail, substantially as described.

19. The combination with the separatorrail, the separators carried thereby, the crossshaft, the cross-shaft.arm,and means for operating the separator-rail from the cross-shaft arm, of the guide-rail, a vertically-slotted hanger or bracket carried by the guide-rail, a bearing for the cross-shaft in the slot of said hanger or bracket, and a set-screw beneath the said bearing for fixing the position thereof,substantially as described.

20. The combination with the separatorrail, the separators carried thereby, the crossshaft, the cross-shaft arm, ,and means for operating the separator-rail from the cross-shaft arm, of the guide-rail, a vertically-slotted hanger or bracket carried by the guide-rail, a bearing for the cross-shaft in the slot of said hanger or bracket, a set-screw beneath and a clamp-screw above the said bearing for fixing the position thereof, substantially as described.

21. The combination with the separatorrail, the separators carried thereby, the crossshaft,the cross-shaft arm, and means for operating the separator-rail from the cross-shaft arm, of the guide-rail, a vertically-slotted hanger or bracket carried by the guide-rail, a bearing for the cross-shaft in the slot of said hanger or bracket having a fiange at one end ttingagainstonesideof the hangeror bracket and having the other end threaded, a clamping-nut on said threaded end, and a-set-screw beneath said bearing for fixing the position thereof, substantially as described.

'22. Thecombination with the separators, and the-separator-rail provided with `oppo- Asitelyprojecting stops, of a support having bearings at the opposite-sides thereof, and;

'having rests lwith `which the said stops may engage, substantially as described.

ed onthe separator-rail provided with oppositelyprojecting stops, of a support having? bearings at Vthe opposite sides thereof, ybetweenzwhich bearings the said hub or collar@ 'may enter, and also having rests with which); thesaid stops may engage, substantially as;

described. i

24. The combination with theseparators; the separator-rail, and a hub or collar mount= ed on the separator-rail provided with oppo-A sitelylprojecting stops located at .the rear off the separator-rail, of a support having bear-g -ings at the opposite sides thereof, between@ which lbearings the said hub or collar may', enter, and also having rests at the rear sidesg of such bearings with which 'the said stops` may engage, substantially as described. l

25. Thecombination with the separatorsf, the separator-rail, and a hub or collar mount- -ed on the separator-rail provided withzoppo-f sitely projecting stops, I of a support con vstructedfto permit the separator-rail to be un` obstructedly removed therefrom before the separators have been turned out of their operaiive position, it having open bearings at the opposite sides thereof, between which.` bearings the said hub or collar may enter,"E and also having rests without obstruction to linterferewith the -stops while the rail is being `removed and with which rests the said.' stops may engage, substantially `as described.`

26. vThe combination with the separators,rI the separator-rail, and a hub or collar mount-Q ed on the separator-rail provided with oppo-; sitely projecting stops located at the rear of -the separator-rail, of a support constructed to? permit the separator-rail to be unobstructedly removed therefrom before the separatorsi have been turned out of their operative position, it having open bearings at the opposite sides thereof, between which bearings the said hub or collar may enter, and also having at the rear sides of such bearings the rests without obstruction thereabove to interfere with the stops while the railis being removed, substantially as described.

27. The combination with the separator-rail, a separator, and the separator-collar mounted on the separator-rail and provided with oppositely projecting stops, of a support constructed to permit the separator-railto be unobstructedly removed therefrom before the separators have been turned out of their operative position, it having open bearings at the opposite sides thereof, between which bearings the said collar may enter, and also vhaving'rests without obstruction to interfere with thestops while the railis being removed and with which rests the said stops may engage, substantially as described.

28. The combination with the separator-rail, a separator, and the separator-collar mounted on Vthe separator-rail and provided with oppo- -sitelyprojectingstops located at the rear of the separator-rail, of asupport constructed to permit the separator-rail to be unobstructedly removed therefrom before the separators have -been turned out of their operative position,

it having open bearings at the opposite sides thereof, between whichbeari'ngs the said collar mayenter, and also having at the rear sides of suchbearings the rests Without obstruction thereabove to interfere with the stops while the rail Vis rbeing removedysub-v `stanti-ally as described.

29. The combination with'the'separator-rails on opposite'sides of a ring-frame, the separators carried thereby, and the movable frame supporting'the separator-rails, of the crossshaft having arms provided with studs or `pins in engagement with Ithe said movable frame, one of thesaid arms being removable from the cross-shaft and having means for securing it in place on the latter, substantially as described.

30. The combination with'the separator-rails on opposite sides of a ring-frame, the vseparators carried thereby, and the movable frame supporting the separator-rails, of the cross- -shaft having arms provided with studs or vpins in engagement with the said movable frame, one of the saidarms being removable IOO IIO

from the cross-shaft, and a screw for securing said movable arm in place on the latter, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in fthe presence of two witnesses.

CHANNING WI-IITAKER. Witnesses:

MARY CAvERLv, SAMLG. STEPHENS. 

